Malibu Creek Docents
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Founded in 1976, Malibu Creek Docents are an independent 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to educational and interpretive activities designed to help the public appreciate the natural history, environment, and recreational opportunities of Malibu Creek State Park.
- Income
- $52,040
- Spending
- $28,268
- Reserves
- 40.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 69%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $15,747 spent. Visitor Center Native Plant Garden: This project is to redesign and convert the green grass lawn to a native plant garden at the historic Hunt House, now serving as the Visitor Center. This reimagined concept was with the collaboration of the Calif State Parks and Chumash Elders and the garden design provided by the UCLA Landscaping Architecture Department. The garden pathway design is inspired by the Chumash Rainbow Bridge creation story and separates the past pre-European colonization in California and the future potential for rehabilitation from invasive species. This garden will include between 300 and 400 native plants representing 35 different species. Seeds and cuttings have been collected throughout Malibu Creek State Park and are propagated in the State Park nursery. Planting occurs as these native plants grow to a sustainable size. When fully completed in 2026, this will provide visitors (9,264 in 2025) at the Visitor Center the opportunity to walk the native plant garden and view plants they've seen in the park which will be identified with signage and description. This will also provide visitors some of the indigenous people story who had inhabited the park area in the past.
- $3,445 spent. Visitor Classes and Programs: Docents provide park visitors interpretive learning opportunities about the park and surrounding area by providing programs, docent lead walks and hikes provide learning experience about animals, plants, native people, park movie history and volunteering at the Visitor Center. Campfire Speakers & Presenters Program - $2,377 with 743 visitors; School field trip kits as suggested by CA State Parks - $697 with 22 school walks with 1,358 students; Visitor Center Children's Room Supplies - $229; Other - $142 (Junior Ranger 276 kids and a total 405 with adults).
- $2,035 spent. WEB Hosting: Online portal to upgrade and maintain. This online portal allows the public to view schedule of programs (see 29 above), submit school field trip requests, inquiry about the park, and docent scheduling of volunteer areas such as leading welcome walks, school walks, Junior Ranger, Campfire Programs, Visitor Center, trail maintenance, etc.
- $1,171 spent. Docent Training: Continuing education to be knowledgeable in factual and accurate presentation to park visitors and representation as a docent. Continuing education - $590; Docent Uniforms - $432; ID badges & live scan - $149 (Welcome Walks - 143 visitors; Visitor Center - 9,264; Trail Ambassador Program - 6,054; Outreach & Parking Lot Popups - 1,826)
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1998.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.